and never for glory or mere
victory, they would, we hoped, take their departure without attempting
an assault. This cheered our spirits. We had arranged that should
Tanda return with any important news, we were to be instantly summoned,
though as the fort should we proceed into the forest, would be
completely hid, from our sight, it would be necessary for some one to be
sent after us. Oliver agreed to come. My uncle examined the ground as
we proceeded, now telling Roger to dig a hole here, now there; but no
water was found. He therefore said that it would be of no use digging
more, as the hill was evidently of volcanic origin, and no water would
be contained within it.

"Let us go on further, however," he observed. "If a stream does not
flow there, at all events a spring may be found."

The ground as we advanced grew softer, and the herbage greener and
greener.

"Stay," he said; "I think some animal must be there! We will advance
cautiously."

As we proceeded my uncle signed us to stop, and looking along the
boughs, a huge black creature appeared before us, digging his snout into
the ground.

"That's a huge pig," whispered Roger to me.

"A pig, man!" answered my uncle. "That is no less a creature than a
rhinoceros!"

We watched it for some time, afraid of moving lest we might draw its
attention towards us. Sometimes these creatures are savage, and will
attack man. At length, however, it began to move off in an opposite
direction to where we were posted.

"A rifle-ball would do little to stop that fellow," said my uncle; "but
we may possibly yet capture him, and I should like to obtain his
skeleton, though I may not add him to my menagerie."

"But we have come to search for water," I suggested.

"To be sure we have," answered my uncle. "I was forgetting that. Here,
at this very spot, I am sure we shall find it without having to dig very
deep."

Roger Trew instantly dug his spade into the ground, and began
energetically throwing up the earth. It grew softer and softer as he
proceeded, I helping him with my bamboo. My uncle had meantime cut down
a tall bamboo, the end of which he sharpened, and he now came back and
forced it into the ground. Drawing it up, the end was perfectly wet.
"This is encouraging!" he exclaimed; and Roger and I now setting to work
with greater energy, at length a little whitish-looking liquid came
welling up. A larger quantity appeared as we dug deeper and deeper, and